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Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer dies aged 85 as tributes paid
Sir Geoff, chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became known as both an academic and a human rights advocate.
Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer has sadly passed away.
The 85-year-old, who was chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became known as both an academic and a human rights advocate.
Prof Richard A Williams, the principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: "Sir Geoff was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world.
"His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this University was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years.
"He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time."
Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury paid tribute to Sir Geoff on social media - describing him as a "father figure" and a "courageous voice for justice and equality".
Sir Geoff won the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards in 2021.
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